Socceroos midfielder Massimo Luongo has retired from international football less than a month out from the Asian Cup, giving coach Graham Arnold headaches ahead of naming his squad.
Luongo was firmly in the frame to be selected in Arnold’s squad, to be announced on Friday, for next month’s tournament amid his career resurrection.
Arnold now has additional flexibility with his roster, as the Asian Football Confederation has confirmed to Football Australia that squads will be expanded from 23 players to 26 in Qatar.
But that won’t include Luongo, who is a key part of second-placed Ipswich Town’s push for promotion to the Premier League and would have missed up to six Championship games and an FA Cup fixture had he headed to Qatar.
Now at the tail end of his career, Luongo has never played in England’s top tier, and will have the chance to remain a constant presence in Ipswich’s bid to reach it.
He follows the likes of Aaron Mooy and Tom Rogic in retiring from the Socceroos over the past year.
“This hasn’t been a decision I’ve taken lightly, but I’ve got to prioritise managing my body as my career goes on,” Luongo said in a statement.
“I’ve loved my journey with the national team and will always cherish the moments I’ve had in this jersey.
“I look forward to watching on now as this group of young players drive the Socceroos culture forward.”
Jackson Irvine is the only experienced midfielder remaining in the fold for Qatar.
Keanu Baccus, Connor Metcalfe, Aiden O’Neill, Alexander Robertson and Riley McGree are among the other midfielders.
Luongo, 31, brings the curtain down on a decorated international career, where he scored six goals in 45 appearances.
He was the player of the tournament in Australia’s 2015 Asian Cup triumph on home soil, earning a Ballon d’Or nomination.
Luongo also played at the 2019 Asian Cup and attended the 2014 and 2018 World Cups.
“When it comes down to it, Mass needs to do what’s right for him and his family,” Arnold said.
“He’s been through the highs and lows of football and throughout his career has shown us his prodigious talent, his incredible professionalism and his qualities as a leader.
“He’s been an enormous contributor to the Socceroos across the course of his career and we wish him all the best.”
Grem
Roar Rookie
We may as well choose wingers that may score - Silvera as opposed to strikers who probably won’t - Iredale.
NickA
Roar Rookie
Should be. But with an expanded squad of 26, I'm surprised MacLaren wouldn't be the 4th striker in line? (do you take an extra striker in a 26 man squad?) I have: 3x GKs, 4x LB/RBs, 4x CBs, 5x midfielders, 4x wingers & 3x strikers. = 23. With another three, which positions do you strengthen? if Leckie/Mgree are selected as risks, I guess you pick an extra winger & midfielder to cover? and then perhaps a 5th CB? or a 4th striker, who probably should have been MacLaren - although maybe his ankle injury is just no good.
Grem
Roar Rookie
Duke, Bruno and Yengi?
NickA
Roar Rookie
MacLaren has confirmed he has not been picked for the squad.
Ed Flanders
Roar Rookie
They played the 2007 tournament in July in South East Asia and 2004 in China. Yup. And no one turned up. Embarrassing. AFL and NRL dont own any stadiums apart from Marvel which they still needed a couple of hundred million goverment money because AFL cant afford to maintain it. They rent the other stadiums, and as the leaseholder enjoy the rights to use the asset they are renting. As for the comment about Marvel, that's just made up. The Asia cup hasn’t got the same requirements as a world cup anyway so no obstacles at all. Yes it does. They played without any cricket stadiums because it was in summer so how was that an advantage in terms of freeing up stadiums. Barely comprehensible.
Grem
Roar Rookie
He’s been pretty fair in the past with players and their families, careers, etc. Perhaps Langerak might differ with my assessment!
NickA
Roar Rookie
I wonder - very cynically - whether Arnie said to him, either accept country over club, or you won't be picked again. But that doesn't seem Arnie's style
Grem
Roar Rookie
A shame he didn’t just have a talk to Arnold and have a break - at 31 he could still come back in at a later stage. He’d only be 34 at the next World Cup and his game management would have been useful.
NickA
Roar Rookie
Didn't realise the squad has jumped to 26! that changes things.
NickA
Roar Rookie
Sad - surely this means he was going to be picked but was torn between club and country. And while I feel country is always the right choice, I know it's more complicated than that. Credit to him - could have been some player if injuries weren't in his way. Asian Cup last hurrah would have been a nice full circle though. Perhaps one less headache for Arnie to sort out when he names his squad tomorrow - Irvine, Baccus, Metcalfe, Mgree (if fit) + one other central midfielder (which should have been Luongo)?
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
Disrupting seasons in Asia means little no one cares. They played the 2007 tournament in July in South East Asia and 2004 in China. Its all about fitting in the Middle East these days. AFL and NRL dont own any stadiums apart from Marvel which they still needed a couple of hundred million goverment money because AFL cant afford to maintain it. The Asia cup hasn't got the same requirements as a world cup anyway so no obstacles at all. They played without any cricket stadiums because it was in summer so how was that an advantage in terms of freeing up stadiums.
Marcel
Roar Rookie
He went to two WCs and wasn't given a single minute of game time.... Can't say I blame him for prioritising his club. I was actually surprised he agreed to play in recent games.
Sheffield WesDay
Roar Rookie
I think this a good thing. The squad needs to turn over regularly allowing for the younger players to come in. Otherwise you run the risk of freezing potential players out in favour of the tried and tested, and; you end up building a team that all age together and then all retire at the same time leaving you with an entire squad to replace at once. A shame he didn’t feel he could get through the Asian cup though. Would have been a fitting swan-song finishing with another man of the tournament as he did when he exploded on the scene back in AFC 2015.
chris1
Roar Rookie
You'd think they would. The same issues come up when the Africa Cup of Nations comes around.
Midfielder
Roar Guru
Me thinks also the demands on his body in England and the AC, he is also I think listening to medical advise... protecting his body given he could be EPL bound is important at his age. Great servant of the game... hope he returns when his playing career is over...
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
I can see the massive issue a team is pushing for promotion into the premier league, and you have the Asia cup during the season.
Ed Flanders
Roar Rookie
1. A June/July tournament would disrupt the seasons in China, Japan, Korea...well, all of Asia really. And they're the ones with the financial clout (for now, Saudi will soon rule all). So, a handful of players in Europe get disrupted vs entire leagues in Asia. 2. You can't play the AFC in June/July anywhere in Asia. It would be oppressive and no one would go (well, barely anyone goes to the tournament anyway, but you would be guaranteeing no one would go). People barely attend league matches over the summer months of the year and you'd want this to be a flagship tournament that would be well attended. Holding the world cup in June/July in Japan/Korea was attended, because, it's the world cup. AFC struggles to get good crowds to these. The answer won't be in June/July. And you can't hold it in Australia in June/July because AFL or NRL won't give up their grounds
Grem
Roar Rookie
Such a talented player who may have left injuries behind and was fulfilling his potential - a big loss as he was our Mooy replacement.
Gilberto
Roar Rookie
Why don't they play the Asian Cup at the same times as the Euros & Copa instead of forcing players into a choice